Fire trucks, schools bands and more paraded the streets of Clarkston Friday for the annual Fourth of July parade along Main Street, but 4-year-old Dominic Sites liked something else.

“I like the Camaros,” Sites said, standing with his mother, Whitney.

“We come every year,” said Whitney Sites, 28. “It’s such a fun event for us, but the biggest reason is for the kids.”

It was the Clarkston family’s third year attending the huge event, where nearly 10,000 turned up to watch cool cars, silly floats and people throwing candy. Residents from Oakland and beyond attended Clarkston’s event and many more throughout the region.

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Veterans clubs, sponsors, marching bands, antique cars and trucks, politicians and more marched from the north end of the village through downtown, ending at the Clarkston Community Education and Renaissance School on Church Street.

Jenn Lawrence, a Washington, D.C. resident, came to Clarkston with her family to visit her sister. Lawrence’s son, Henry — who was born on July 4 — has been in the parade for the last four years, she said.

“(Henry) was throwing Hershey kisses for birthday wishes,” she said. “We love coming here, and have been doing it the past 10 years.”

The Independence Township Fire Department had a fire engine hoisting a gigantic American flag that could be seen at least a mile from its post at the corner of Church and Main Streets.

Clarkston resident Pam Salada said the flag flew high and it was “a perfect day” for a parade.

Claire Murphy, 41, who just moved to Clarkston, said her friend told her about the parade. She said she’s glad she came, because her daughter, Gabriella, had a blast.

Gabriella got plenty of candy and a Beanie Baby stuffed animal — a coral fish — from someone who threw it to her from a passing truck.

“If you look on the tag, her name is Bubbles,” Gabriella, 4, said, hugging the toy.

This year, the parade’s organizers were the Clarkston Area Optimist Club, Clarkston Lions Club, Mt. Zion Church and the Clarkston Knights of Columbus.

Camille Lamesh, of West Bloomfield, usually goes to the Milford Township parade, where organizers commission aircraft to fly overhead, but she wanted to see a different one this year, she said.

“This was definitely a long one, so it was cool,” she said. “All kinds of people from surrounding communities came out to enjoy the day ... and I don’t think I’ve seen a bigger flag than the one here.”

Dan Niewoit, 45, pastor at Mt. Zion, emceed the event, announcing the parade participants as they passed his post across from the Clarkston Union Woodshop. He said the festival was a great way to see the community come together.

“It’s just a great summation of what Clarkston’s all about,” said Niewoit. “When they pull up that flag, the wind catches it and you see it over the community, it just reminds us how blessed we are in this country that we have the freedoms we do.

“And of course, I love interacting with the people. That’s always a great part because we have a great community here.”

The fun didn’t stop after the parade. The party moved to Clintonwood Park, where arts and crafts tents, kids games, a music stage and even a 120-foot zip line was set up for residents and friends to visit until the fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Said Niewoit: “The fireworks and events at Clintonwood are fantastic, and it’s just a great way to end the day.”

About the Author

John Turk covers the police beat and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for The Oakland Press. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. Reach the author at john.turk@oakpress.com
or follow John on Twitter: @jrturk.